9 cross-reactive for Borrellia
12 specific for Bb
18 unknown
20 cross-reactive for Borrellia
21 unknown
22 specific for Bb, probably really the 23/25 band
23-25 outer surface protein C (OspC), specific for Bb
28 unknown
30 unknown; probably an outer surface protein; common in European and
one California strain
31 outer surface protein A (OspA), specific for Bb
34 outer surface protein B (OspB); specific for Bb
35 specific for Bb
37 specific for Bb
38 cross-reactive for Bb
39 is a major protein of Bb flagellin; specific for Bb
41 flagellin protein of all spirochetes; this is usually the first to appear after a Bb infection and is specific for all Borrellia
45 cross-reactive for all Borellia (sometimes people with Lyme who have
this band positive also have the co-infection Ehrlichiosis)
50 cross-reactive for all Borrellia
55 cross-reactive for all Borrellia
57 cross-reactive for all Borrellia
58 unknown but may be a heat-shock Bb protein
60 cross reactive for all Borrellia
66 cross-reactive for all Borrelia, common in all bacteria
83 specific antigen for the Lyme bacterium, probably a cytoplasmic membrane
93 unknown, probably the same protein in band 83, just migrates differently in some patients

The IgM tests for a more recent infection, the IgG a longer standing one.

No test for Lyme disease is completely reliable, and results can vary by lab. The CDC requires several Lyme-specific bands to be present for the test to be considered positive; however, many people who have Lyme do not have this many bands. Band 23-25 is a Lyme specific band. It is significant if it is positive.

Which lab did the test? It is important to be tested by a Lyme lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA. They use more sensitive testing and list more bands on the Western Blot.

Do you have symptoms? How long have you had them? Below is a Lyme symptom list. You can have any combination of symptoms.

It is very important to see a kowledgeable doctor. Many doctors do not understand Lyme and treat with outdated protocols.

Besides Lyme, ticks can also transmit several co-infections including Babesiosis, two types of Ehrlichiosis (HME & HGE), Bartonella, and Mycoplasma. Many people who have Lyme are co-infected. It may affect treatment choice and progress. It is important to be tested for these by a Lyme reputable lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA.

If you need a doctor recommendation, let us know. There are some excellent ones in NY.

It is also important to learn as much as possible. I recommend reading Dr. Joseph Burrascano's 2005 Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines For Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses (on-line). He is one of the top Lyme doctors in the country, and many Lyme doctors follow his protocols. I also recommend the book "Everything You Need To Know about Lyme Disease
(2nd edition)" by Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner.

Hello Ticker........if you are out there. And anyone else who might like to help me solve a puzzle! I would really appreciate any help I can get understanding this. I have a similar situation to A95tanu. I'm trying to figure out when I most likely contracted this disease. My MD tested me on July 8 because I was having a lot of unexplained symptoms: fatigue, HA's, nausea, sleeping problems, mood problems, night sweats, hair loss. She then told me the test was negative. I went on for the next few months with worsening symptoms and new ones: heart palpitations, heavy breathing, extreme anxiety, almost like panic attacks, terrible insomnia, unable to concentrate or keep track of my thoughts, and sometimes when I talk the words come out backwords and it's like my response time is abnormally delayed.

Anyway, I got a bit side-tracked, but with the worsening symptoms, we retested again on November 1 and she called and told me I was Positive for Lyme and that I must have got it sometime between the two tests. I'm now on Doxy 100mg for 4 weeks........which is good. I went to the MD's office and requested both Lyme tests and as I am researching, and after reading your post, I think the first test can be interpreted as Positive, meaning I would have had the lyme probably at least a month before that. Here's my reasoning, and I hope you can help me assess.

JULY 8'th TEST results showed
IgG of 41 reactive (all others not reactive)
IgM of 23 reactive (all others including 41 nonreactive)
*Thus only one band reactive, so the test was interpreted as NEGATIVE

NOVEMBER 1 TEST
IgG of 41 reactive (all others not reactive)
IgM of 23 and 41 active
*Thus two bands reactive, so the test was interpreted as POSITIVE

My theory is that I was actually positive on July 8'th because 23 is specific for Lyme, and there is no other reason it would be reactive. As I understand it, the 41 is questionable because it's not specific for Lyme, but being that 23was reactive on IgM on both tests, I'm thinking that pretty much means I must have had it at the time of the first test. Any help understanding this would be greatly appreciated.

hi gypsygirl
Did I understand that they put you on only 100 mg doxy It sounds way too loo a dose I belive ehrn I was on the doxcy I took 100mg 3x's a day
Ticker s so good about responding to everyonr She is resource to information
Good luck with everything Keep in mind youa nd only you sre yoir front line advocate
good luck with your treatment I haven been on IV rocephin for 11 months Doxcu before that
aaaRyebeach

I had my IGM 23 band show up positive. The kicker is that I had the tick bite about 13 yrs ago. I have recently been showing symptoms the last 3 yrs and my llmd is positive that it is lyme. He says its odd that the IGM band would be positive with a chronic illness. What gives??